The Wirecutter Show
The New York Times
The Wirecutter Show is a podcast offering expert advice on everyday products that will make your life better. Each week, co-hosts Christine Cyr Clisset and Caira Blackwell, alongside producer Rosie Guerin, speak with Wirecutter’s best-in-class journalists and other expert guests for actionable advice, surprising life hacks, and delightful product discoveries. From which stand-mixer will last you a lifetime, to the best way to travel with pets, to figuring out if your smart lock is spying on you, The Wirecutter Show gives you straightforward solutions based on years of rigorous and independent product testing by more than 140 Wirecutter journalists.
Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.
Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.
Episodes
Mentioned books
105 snips
Nov 28, 2025 • 21min
Gift Guide 2025: What Our Experts Are Giving This Year
The experts share their favorite gifts from 2025, perfect for holiday shopping. Yummi taper candles add ambiance to meals, while a cozy Company Cotton Voile quilt aids recovery. Gemstone dice make memorable groomsmen gifts, and the Swatch Flik Flak watch helps kids learn time. For hikers, the Sawyer Squeeze offers reliable water filtration. A Sangean WR-15 radio combines nostalgia with modern features. Plus, discover kitchen must-haves like the OXO bench scraper and fun gifts like the OMY hair chalk!
23 snips
Nov 26, 2025 • 27min
Mel Robbins' Expert Advice for Surviving the Holidays With Peace and Sanity
Holiday gatherings can ignite big emotions, and Mel Robbins shares her insights on navigating them. She introduces the Let Them Theory, emphasizing acceptance of others while reclaiming your reactions. Conversations about tricky family dynamics reveal the importance of managing expectations and accepting limits. Mel offers strategies for defusing conflict, like the gray rock technique, and stresses the importance of boundaries when opinions threaten your identity. Plus, she shares her favorite travel keepsake, a custom belt buckle reflecting her family.
17 snips
Nov 19, 2025 • 35min
Secrets to Better Pie Making
Lesley Stockton, a senior kitchen gear writer for Wirecutter, shares her extensive pie-making expertise. She simplifies pie-baking fears with practical tips like accepting imperfections and mastering core techniques. Lesley recommends a tapered rolling pin for perfect dough and explains why baking sheets are essential. She reveals her go-to pate brisée recipe and suggests nontraditional pies, like a double-crust plum or buttermilk pie. With solutions for common challenges, Lesley empowers every baker to create beautiful, tasty pies!
34 snips
Nov 12, 2025 • 32min
Shop Secondhand Like a Pro
Ivy Elrod, a home decor writer and former interior designer, shares her expertise on secondhand shopping. She discusses innovative ways to visualize your space using mood boards and iPhone cutouts. Ivy reveals her strategies for scoring quality items on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, emphasizing the importance of negotiation and clear budgeting. She offers tips for evaluating listings and inspecting items in person, along with common pitfalls to avoid. Plus, hear about her favorite finds, including an Art Deco dining table.
37 snips
Nov 5, 2025 • 26min
Will Tariffs Affect Holiday Shopping?
Annemarie Conte, Deputy Editor at Wirecutter and expert in consumer-product pricing, shares her insights on the upcoming holiday shopping season. She highlights how tariffs are causing gradual price increases, cautions against waiting for discounts on Black Friday, and emphasizes that retailers are inflating pre-sale prices. Additionally, she recommends practical strategies like buying refurbished items, making gift lists early, and ordering ahead of time to avoid shipping delays. Stay savvy this holiday season!
10 snips
Oct 31, 2025 • 14min
How To Be Handier
Join Doug Mahoney, a senior staff writer on Wirecutter's home improvement team and tool expert, as he shares his wisdom on becoming handier at home. He discusses the importance of developing tool skills to save money and gain control over your space. Doug reveals the essential 'trifecta' of tools for beginners: a screwdriver, hammer, and tape measure, while advising against pre-made toolkits. He explains when to transition to power tools, highlighting the indispensable cordless drill, and emphasizes safety tips for DIY newcomers.
19 snips
Oct 29, 2025 • 34min
Nick Offerman's Guide to Building Things That Last
Nick Offerman, a beloved actor, author, and skilled woodworker, shares insights from his new book, Little Woodchucks. He emphasizes the joy of hands-on work and the confidence it builds, especially for beginners. Nick stresses the importance of investing in high-quality tools that last, rather than cutting corners. He also discusses the spiritual connection to woodworking, teaching patience, and problem-solving. Plus, he outlines essential tools for a starter kit and revels in the joy of crafting instruments like ukuleles.
36 snips
Oct 22, 2025 • 34min
What’s Wrong With Your Computer?
Kimber Streams, a senior staff writer at Wirecutter with extensive experience in laptop testing, dives into computer care tips. She explains how to boost your old machine's performance by cleaning storage and removing unused apps. Kimber stresses the importance of keeping software updated for optimal security and efficiency. She also discusses when it’s better to repair an old laptop versus investing in a new one and offers insights on buying refurbished machines. Tune in for practical advice that can extend the life of your tech!
28 snips
Oct 15, 2025 • 31min
How to Know What's In Your Drinking Water
Tim Heffernan, a senior staff writer at Wirecutter specializing in air and water filtration, shares his insights on drinking water safety. He explains how to check your water's quality through the annual consumer confidence report and details when it’s worth testing for contaminants. Tim discusses the importance of understanding municipal treatment processes, the pros and cons of various filtration options, and how proximity to pollution doesn’t necessarily impact tap water. His key takeaway? Know your water quality before investing in filtration!
39 snips
Oct 10, 2025 • 20min
How To Maximize Credit Card Points for Travel
Brian Kelly, founder of The Points Guy and author of How to Win at Travel, shares his secrets for maximizing travel with credit card points. He emphasizes the importance of paying down debt to truly benefit from rewards. Listeners learn about the workings of rewards programs, from interchange fees to the strategies for picking the right credit cards based on spending habits. Brian also delves into the value of transferable points and reveals how to effectively use award tickets as a flexible travel backup.
